Hello friends! You know I’m a total sucker for re-used, re-cycled and re-purposed when it comes to building so when I found this fabulous bar in Portland it was love at first sip! Meet one of the newest, hippest and greenest bars in Pdx – KASK!
This intimate cocktail lounge serves up delicious concoctions on their rough-hewn walnut bar that is supported by a rock-filled gabion wall. I saw this kind of construction when I was in Austria - it was everywhere! They would make benches and fences out of it!
Can’t go wrong with good ole’ rock!
The eco-friendly cork floors keep the green vibe and instead of wasting paper, ever-changing black boards inform patrons of what’s on the menu. Love that!
Kask is owned by the restaurateurs from neighboring, Gruner – another fine establishment with a focus on the warm, rich flavors of “Middle Europe”. Go check out both destinations for amazing food, drink and a peek at some creative green building materials!
Hope your week is going well!
All images via here.
architecture, Community, downsizing, food, interior design, Local News, Portland Love
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candace kramer, community, design, downsize, downsize my space, downsizing, environmental, environmental design, green, interior design, lifestyle, oregon, portland, restaurant
Hello friends! Hope you had a fantastic holiday weekend. We went on my favorite quick getaway and caught the train up to Seattle. I absolutely love the train ride – reading magazines, sipping wine and just relaxing. By the time I arrive, I have unwound and I’m ready to enjoy the city! Traffic and parking can really burst my weekend escape bubble…Speaking of trains, I recently headed over to the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation site to discover an exciting event coming up on June 30th – The Willamette Bridge groundbreaking – which will bring light rail, cyclists and pedestrians straight by the Engine House & Rail Heritage Center. For more info go here.
Okay…on to Seattle…We stayed at the fabulous Hotel Max. This place is all about art and photography – featuring 39 local artists! Each floor has its own vibe and influence…we stayed on the Rock n’ Roll floor!
Images via here
With its eclectic mix of luxury, art and culture we would definitely stay here again and I love that it’s sister hotel – Hotel Lucia – is right here in Portland.
Okay, now for a couple of my fav restaurants that we hit…and yes, a little I SPY bathroom design to boot!
For a decadent French breakfast complete with a cocktail happy hour, you can’t miss Toulouse Petit Kitchen. I had to have a French mimosa with my crispy beignets and pork cheeks confit with eggs! I told you it was decadent!
image
Think of funky-bistro with a bayou twist (so fun) and the bathrooms didn’t disappoint either…
Honey hued with a mix of tile, stone and bronze the bathrooms were very elegant. I love the little detail of the fleur de lis in the flooring. So très French…
For dinner we headed to Barolo Ristorante…Glamorous and sexy with a good dose of modern Italian flair…this place is a must!
Images via here
The food was impeccable, with an impressive wine list. It’s a hot spot for sure…just look for the flashy cars pulling up to the front!
On to the gorgeous bathrooms…dripping with glitter and shine…I just love the beaded curtain below the counter top! Genius.
Image via here
It was such a wonderful weekend and by taking the train we avoided all the hassles (and pollution) of driving the car. Consider taking the train for your next weekend getaway.
Now all we need is one of these…
Image via here
Meet China’s amazing new bullet train…I’m dying to ride this one! This would get me to Seattle in about an hour! Get with the program Amtrak! Seriously!
Where have you traveled by train? Did you enjoy it?
bathroom design, food, Hotels, I SPY DESGIN, interior design, stories, Transportation
| amtrak, art, barolo, bathroom design, bullet train, candace kramer, china, downsize my space, food, french, hotel lucia, hotel max, i spy design, interior design, italian, oregon rail heritage foundation, portland, restaurant, seattle, Toulouse Petit Kitchen, train, transportation, travel, willamette bridge
While most couples go out for cocktails and dinner on their anniversary, my husband and I headed to the Lakewood Center of the Arts to attend the open forum regarding the Lake Oswego Streetcar Project. We waited three hours so I could testify my support. It was well worth it and over eighty people stood up and shared their approval of this very important improvement to our city.
If you have not yet publicly supported the Streetcar and you missed the forum – don’t worry you still can contribute! But you need to hurry, the open comments are set to close on Jan. 31st. Click the link below and show that, you too, are behind this progressive endeavor to move our community forward!
http://www.oregonmetro.gov/index.cfm/go/by.web/id=35271
and for more info go to Next Stop Lake Oswego.
As for the rest of our anniversary evening…well, we ended up having a wonderful dinner at Tucci‘s, who in my opinion, still have the best steak in town! The wine didn’t hurt either!
Have a great weekend,
Image via Next Stop Lake Oswego
Community, environmental design, Lifestyle, Transportation
| candace kramer, community, downsize my space, environmental design, green, lake oswego, lakewood center of the arts, mass transit, portland oregon, restaurant, streetcar, transportation, tucci
As an interior designer, I am always looking for interesting, creative design that captures a sense of adventure but still functions well in a home environment.
Being a foodie and wine enthusiast, Portland is a mecca for wonderful restaurants. The restaurant’s design is just as important as the food being presented. I especially love going into restaurant bathrooms to see if the design was an after thought OR a delightful extension of the eatery’s overall ambiance.
I am often asking my design friends, “Did you see the bathroom at the new restaurant that just opened?”
There are wonderful creative and exciting ideas to be discovered and used in your own home!
So I will be sharing with you some of my – I SPY – great design – YES in bathrooms!
If you SPY a great bathroom – pass it on!
Motel Modero has modern twist and sleek finishes.
*artwork always makes a statement
* undermount sinks are so seamless, I love the back light on the back splash
*super shiny kleenex box sparkles with the glass mosaic tiles
*observe the corners of the room and see how all the different materials relate to one another…I also love dark painted ceilings - so much drama looming overhead!
I SPY great design at www.hotelmodera.com Go see if you can SPY some fabulous bathroom design at your favorite haunt!
CK
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